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- Anti-gay harassment has prompted the widespread growth of gay-straight alliances. Commonly called GSAs, these student-run clubs create safe spaces for gay youth and their allies; most clubs also organize campuswide events to increase the acceptance of marginalized groups and reduce anti-gay bullying.
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deny their right to form a GSA. The prevailing law favors the students wishing to form the GSA, not the schools trying to shut them down or keep them from getting established. A school presented with this information should quickly understand that it must allow a GSA to form and exist on the same terms as other non-curriculum clubs.
- Know Your Role
- Use The Resources at Your Disposal
- Brace Yourself For Pushback
- Remember That Each Year May Look Different
Something we heard over and over is how important it is that your GSA be student-led. Teacher and GSA advisor Becki Clesse recommends, “Let the kids be your guide. You are there to support them and create a safe space for them to gather. Be that adult in their life that loves and cares for them unconditionally while they thrive in student leadershi...
Two national organizations came up over and over. First, you’ll want to check out GLSEN, which has excellent resources for getting started. You should also register your group at GSA Network and download their new Virtual GSAs In Action Toolkit. Both websites have tons of information on everything from LGBTQ history to queer and trans wellness reso...
Teacher Brandice Snowden is a mom of a student trying to establish a chapter. She told us, “Some districts/campuses make rules that target organizations like GSA to make it difficult to even start them. Or, if they get them started, to make membership so uncomfortable and/or dangerous (like forcing students to out themselves to family to be a membe...
Each group is on its own journey. Bivona reminds us, “Don’t judge your success by what you have done in the past. Some years you have a team of students who are ready for protesting and educating their peers. Other years you have a group of students who just need a sounding board and would rather have close, intimate events and de-stress.”
Safe spaces can be hard to come by when you're a middle school student, especially if you're lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. For the past 10 years, GSAs have helped high school students fight anti-gay harassment.
A Genders and Sexualities Alliance, or a Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA), is a student-run organization, typically in a high school or middle school, which provides a safe place for lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer/questioning, two-spirit (LGBTQ2S+) students, including individuals who are perceived to be LGBTQ2S+, and allies, to meet, socialize ...
narratives from a diverse group of GSA student leaders about their experiences in GSA clubs across the U.S. Prior research shows that GSA leaders spent more time per week than members do with their GSA,10 and thus may have unique perspectives on GSAs as organizations. The sample of twenty student leaders were intentionally
a public school in the United States that allows other non-curricular clubs, the administration must allow you to start a GSA as long as you follow all stated rules for student organizations. If you are facing undue resistance from your school, take a look at this resource to learn more about your rights as an LGBTQ+ student. Find a Faculty Advisor
NEW YORK (Nov. 17, 2021)–Today, GLSEN, the leading national organization working to guarantee LGBTQ+ students safe and affirming education, released a new research report detailing the experiences of students and staff advisors with gender and sexuality alliances (GSAs) in schools across the nation.
